Nailab supports early-stage and growth-stage startups leveraging innovation and technology to tackle Africa’s most pressing challenges across key sectors including fintech, agritech, healthtech, edtech, SaaS, cleantech, creative & mediatech, e-commerce & retailtech, mobility & logisticstech, and social impact. We partner with passionate founders with a clear vision and deep understanding of the challenges they are addressing.

We regularly announce application windows on our official website and social media platforms. You can find detailed information and application links for all our current opportunities on our "Opportunities" page," which you'll find under the "Resources" section.

Our programs typically run for 3–6 months, depending on the specific focus and structure. They are designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to build and scale sustainable businesses.

Key components of our incubation and accelerator programs include:

• Mentorship: Access to experienced mentors who provide guidance on strategy, operations, product development, and leadership.
• Business development training: Practical workshops and sessions on key topics such as business modeling, customer discovery, marketing, finance, legal compliance, and team building.
• Pitch coaching: Personalized support to help you craft compelling investor pitches and refine your storytelling.
• Access to investors and networks: Opportunities to connect with potential investors, partners, and ecosystem enablers through demo days, networking events, and partner introductions.
• Seed funding (where applicable): Selected startups may receive initial capital to test, launch, or grow their solutions.

While some of our programs are tailored for early-stage entrepreneurs who are still refining their concepts, others are better suited for startups with a developed product, initial traction, or a proven business model.

Regardless of stage, we look for founders who demonstrate a clear vision, deep understanding of the problem they’re solving, and a strong commitment to creating meaningful, sustainable impact.

Each program has its own eligibility criteria, so we encourage you to carefully review the details provided in the call for applications.

Yes. Some of our programs provide seed funding or connect startups to investors through demo days and pitch sessions.

Joining the Nailab network gives you access to a thriving community of like-minded African founders, expert mentors, and global industry leaders. You can connect and collaborate with founders from all over the continent through our conversation forum, book office hours with seasoned mentors and business leaders from around the world and gain real-world insights tailored to your startup challenges and access tools, templates, and curated resources to help you build and grow your business.

We’re always looking to grow our community of passionate, experienced mentors who want to give back and support Africa’s next wave of entrepreneurs. If you have industry expertise, entrepreneurial experience, or a strong desire to guide startups, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our Mentors page to apply or learn more.

We collaborate with development agencies, corporates, governments, and academic institutions to co-create accelerator programs, support high-potential startups, and drive systemic change across Africa’s innovation ecosystem. If you're interested in partnering with us, please reach out through our Program page.